SURVIVOR:The Prisoner Who Wore Glasses

Question 1: How does the character search for solace, purpose, and/or redemption in this story?

In the story "The Prisoner Who Wore Glasses," Brille did not need to find redemption or solace. He was content with himself, his life, and his actions. Brille does not treat the warders with much respect because they know that Brille and the other men around him are in prison for reasons they did not commit, just how they act as a person, which is not bad, just the fact that their skin color is different than others. Brille and the men around him do as they please for the most part and the past warders have let them get away with it, but the prisoners are tested when they are presented with a new warder that is harsh and cruel. The way Brille treats Hannajite shows that Brille does not feel guilty for his actions. He continues to treat Hannajite rudely and uses him. If Brille felt guilty in any way he would have tried to redeem himself and find a purpose.

Question 2: How does the character's experience reflect the historical period in which his/her story is told?

The character's experience reflects the historical period in which the story of Brille is told because of the racism. Around the 1950s and 1960s racism was big and Africans were looked down upon. The story also reflects the time period because Brille and the other prisoners were being imprisoned because of their race, they were political prisoners and nothing less. Probably all the political prisoners were innocent and had done nothing wrong, but at the time, the minority of white people thought being of a different color skin was wrong and something people should be punished for. The story was also taking place in south Africa where a lot of racism was taking place between 1950s and now. There is a possibility that the story took place less than 50 some years ago because unfair judgement is still going on around the world about races, religion, and other views of life. Many places around the world still to this day discriminate against people that are different. The world has been through a lot of racism and has tried to overcome it, but personally I do not think racism will ever die, which is sad.

Question 3: How does the character's experience in the story symbolize the theme of survival and the human spirit?

In this story the character's experiences in the story symbolize both survival and human spirit. Human spirit is shown because Brille knows he is a political prisoner, he finds it extremely wrong that he is punished because of his skin color and that is it. He is in prison because of his skin color and nothing more and he is a little aggravated and angry because he has a large family at home that he would probably like to be with so much more than being in prison with the white minority that think he is a disgrace and should not be alive, basically he is surrounded by racist people and cannot do a thing about it except try and enjoy what he can do. Survival is another theme because he is true to himself and does not take crap and nonsense from anyone, he believes in himself and certain rules he has given himself. Brille is a very upfront and honest guy, he tells the truth and stands up for his rights and what he believes in. Brille is also smart and cunning because of how he convinces the warders to be on his side or scares/threatens them. He does what he has to do to survive in a cruel world.